Liason between CEA Members and the Colombian Police

The Colombian NATIONAL POLICE established a program to assign CEA member companies a senior police official appointed by the Direction for Protection and Special Services.  This officer provides direct security assistance to companies, their senior management and employees, consolidating an effective system of communication between the security forces and the American multinationals. The program operates in the cities of Bogota, Cali, Cartagena, Barranquilla and Medellin.

CEA Emergency Control Center

The CEA Emergency Control Center offers member companies direct access to security related information from Colombian authorities and the United States Embassy. CEA members are urged to report security threats to the Emergency Control Center, so the authorities can provide prompt and efficient assistance. The communications center operates out of the Council of American Enterprises facilities, receiving and disseminating relevant information to companies belonging to the Emergency Control Center, via Avantel communications equipment, e-mails, cellular lines and land lines.

DIJIN-CEA Business Transportation / Cargo Security Front

The Council of American Companies and the Colombian Police have established a strategic alliance known as the "DIJIN-CEA Business Security Front for Transport", designed to prevent, identify and deal with transport security problems facing the American business community in Colombia. It operates through a communications network that links CEA member companies to the Headquarters of the Judicial Police (DIJIN). Companies are free to choose their preferred means of contact {e-mail, fixed telephone, mobile telephone or Avantel (Emergency Control Center)}. This channel for permanent communication enables the Police to exercise an effective presence nationwide and to protect merchandise, vehicles and property belonging to American companies. Thanks to the DIJIN-CEA alliance, member companies can report lost property, accidents, vehicle theft, highway robbery, product falsification and other crimes directly to DIJIN, which begins tracks and recovers lost, stolen or forged merchandise immediately, closes off geographic areas and attempts to block the efforts of organized crime. This process allows companies to inform DIJIN immediately, even before a formal complaint is filed. However, the formal complaint is eventually required to proceed with the legal process. American companies associated with the program enjoy a number of benefits, such as immediate police action in response to security problems, training in security and preventive measures, an effective response from DIJIN to their security needs and expectations, identification of security problems common to companies in the sector, and help in selecting transport companies and personnel.  Beyond the benefits to individual companies, though, this program results in improved productivity and competitiveness for the nation as a whole.

Foundation

In 1965, David Rockefeller and a group of like-minded business people founded the Council of the Americas based on the fundamental belief that free markets and private enterprise offer the most effective means to achieve regional economic growth and prosperity. Since that time, membership has grown to over 200 blue chip companies that represent the majority to the U.S. private investment in Latin America.

Function

Member firms include manufacturing, natural resources, technology, communications, healthcare and pharmaceuticals, banking and financial services. The Council of the Americas exists to help member companies achieve their business goals throughout the Americas. Its broad-based membership provides it with a well respected, authoritative voice on public policy issues affecting the Americas.

What they do?

CEA constantly lobbies, promotes and defends the interests of its affiliates with Colombian government agencies. It works with the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism on ATPDEA, the Intellectual Property Agreement and the Free Trade Agreement; with the Ministry of Transportation, through the Business Security Front for Transport; and with the NATIONAL POLICE, through the Liaison with Multinational Companies. It also cooperates with GAULA  to prevent kidnapping, in addition to collaborating with police precincts in Bogotá to form a support network.  CEA also has close ties with the Ministry of Environmental Affairs, the Ministry of Communications and the Colombian embassy in Washington.

Function

The Council of American Companies maintains a close relationship and a number of cooperation agreements with the United States Embassy in Colombia to benefit and support its membership. These agreements include the Business Visa Program with   the Consul General's Office as well as joint projects on intellectual property rights, brands, patents, and environment, the FTAA, the ATPDEA and the FTA with the Economic, Political, Commercial and Security sections.

Meetings

In conjunction with the Regional Security Officer at the U.S. EMBASSY, CEA serves as the Colombian Chapter of the Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC), a program of the Bureau of Diplomatic Security established by U.S. State Department to protect the overseas interests of American companies. Each month, the Colombian chapter of the OSAC meets with the security chiefs of its member companies to exchange information on law and order and conduct workshops on topics such as risk analysis and prevention of kidnapping and extortion.

National Association of Colombian Industrialists (ANDI)

Over the years, CEA has maintained close relations with Colombia's leading trade associations. We participate in a number of joint initiatives with the National Association of Colombian Industrialists (ANDI), including the Project to Combat Product Falsification and Unauthorized Appropriation of Brand Names, the Crop Protection Board and the Environmental Management and Logistics Committees. These joint acttivities benefit both organizations and help to avoid a duplication of efforts.

National Association of Financial Institutions (ANIF)

Each year the Council of American Companies, together with the National Association of Financial Institutions (ANIF) and the Council of the Americas, holds an economic and social forum known as "Colombia in the Eyes of Wall Street". This event brings together recognized experts from the Colombian financial community and representatives of the international banking and financial sectors.

Colombian-American Chamber of Commerce

CEA and the Colombian-American Chamber of Commerce in Cali work together through two committees: Security and IT Solutions.